Upper St. Clair man to challenge U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy
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Democrat Dan Connolly -- an Upper St. Clair native and Pitt grad -- formally announced plans yesterday to run against U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, for the 18th District congressional seat this year.
The 26-year-old graduated from George Washington University Law School last year and worked for a Washington, D.C., consulting firm before resettling in South Park in the fall. He said he is running against Mr. Murphy -- who voted against Democratic-supported stimulus and health care proposals -- to refocus priorities on middle-class residents of the district.
"He's voted against their interests time and time again," Mr. Connolly said.
The district south and east of Pittsburgh represents parts of Allegheny, Westmoreland and Washington counties.
Mr. Murphy has been in office in 2003, despite the district's 60,000-vote Democratic registration edge. He trounced Democrat Steve O'Donnell in the 2008 general election, in which the district favored Republican John McCain over Democrat Barack Obama by 10 percentage points.
Mr. Murphy's campaign had $545,000 for a re-election run as of Sept. 30.
Through the fall, Mr. Connolly said his campaign team has been focusing on fundraising and introducing him to district voters.
Mr. Connolly graduated from Upper St. Clair high in 2002 and from Pitt in 2006. He is single.
First Published January 8, 2010 12:00 am
